Just an hour and a half off the shore of Puntarenas lies Isla Tortuga. Lie in the sun on a white-sand beach lined with palm trees and soak up that tropical sun and --en head for the canopy tour for an exhilarating wake-up call. Isla Tortuga is the perfect day trip whether you're in San Jose or in the area of Puntarenas. Several operators tour the island and make the trip both comfortable and enjoyable.
 They provide the transportation and the food as well as information regarding the areas you'll be traveling through en route to the dock in Puntarenas. Arrival on the 320-hectare and is like setting foot on an idyllic tropical haven. Swaying palm trees line the white-sand beach as the island's small hills rise just beyond. There are several activities available on the island including volleyball, hiking and the exhilarating canopy tour.
For a moderate fee, island guides will take you on a brief 15 minute hike that takes you up to a small hill that has a platform set up just off the bluff. Equipped with a rappelling harness, you'll fly down a wire that connects to another platform high up in the canopy. The experience is anything but ordinary and just think how you can brag about it to your friends guides will let you know which areas off shore are the best for snorkeling but be aware of the current that pulls slightly out towards deeper water.
Visibility is slightly reduced due to the current but there are still plenty of sights to see below the surface. There is also a cleared trail that you can explore after lunch. It will take you up into the hills and into the forest where you can spot several species of marine birds, land crabs and large dark green iguanas. After your exploration is over, relax on the beach and take in the tropical sunset. |
